The Louisiana Democrat., 1887-06-15
mot AVAILABLE.
The Romance Of a Rejected Manu-
script.

The Romance OF q Rejected Manu-
script.
NEW YORK, N Y, November Z, 18S-Dea,
Madam: We regret that the manuscript has no
been found available for the magazine.
So many considerations enter into the ques
tion of availability" such as previous &C
ceptance of somewhat similar material, or a
superabundance Of matter on hand, or unfit.
ness on account Of the editors present plans
that the return Of your manuscript does not i'm
ply that it was thought deficient from literary
point of view.
With thanks for your courtesy we are, very
truly yours, EDITOR H--MAGAzINE.
Blanche Raymond read the letter
through several times, and then with a
little sigh took up the poor, rejected
manuscript. Mot available" she
murmured, glancing over the carefully
written pages. mot deficient from a
literary point Of view" "Well. they
are at least courteous; shouldn't won
der. though, if they meant that last re-
mark as balm for my injured feel
ings. 1 am told that editors are so
deceitful."
With these thoughts of editorial per-
fdy ranking in her bosom, Blanche re-
lapsed into silence.
She compressed her lips until the dim
pie in her chin was scarcely visible,
and very perceptible frown darkened
her usually serene brow.
1t was evident that something i'm
portant was being evolved from her
busy brain, for the frown deepened till
the gray eyes looked almost black be-
meath the long lashes.
Suddenly she arose from the low
rocker in which she had been sitting,
saying, with a merry twinkle in her
eyes which efectually dispeled the
frown, "rll do it! it will be a great
lark. and I will at least get another
opinion of my poor papers literary
merit of availability"
"A great lark," strangely improper
language for an aspiring author.
Where are you going, dear?" asked
Mrs. Raymond, as Blanche, after care
fully-prepared toilet, descended to the
sitting-room where her mother sat Sc W.
ing.
"Well, mamma, you know told you
that the Il Magazine had returned
my manuscript. I Happen to think of
the D. Magazine, of our own city
here, which has not been long estab-
lished, but is fast gaining popularity.
The dazzling idea has occurred to me
to take my story there, instead of send
ing it out alone. Perhaps I can make
an impression if my story can't"
laughed the little miss, casting a sly
glance at the bright, sweet face reflect
ed in the mirror opposite.
but, my dear. is that the proper
thing to do? l don't like to have you
go alone to one of these places" said
the old lady, evidently regarding zone
OF these places as something un-
canny.
why, mamma, there is no harm in
1t at all. 1t is purely a matter of busi-
ness. The editor is probably bald
headed, specialized ogre, who will wilt
me with one CLASSY stare. But 7 M 60
ing to get him to accept my story be-
lore l wilt even if I collapse imme-
diately afterward, said this very deter
mined n young lady, who had not learned
mat saddest word in youths bright
lexicon, "fail."
well, hurry back, for l shall be
very anxious till you return"
-, With kiss and smiling good bye,
blanche tripped from the room with
aeart not quite as light as when she
nrst thought of her venture, but she
would not own it even to herself.
Our heroine was little more than a |
cnild' although the suns of nineteen
summers had darkened her once flaxen
caris. The youngest child and only |
elfl OF family of FIVE children, she |
was OF course, greatly petted and |
caressed. y A girl of less sweet, even |
disposition might have shown the eff
iects OF such training in imperious
n. manners and pettish exactions, but |
Blanche, without special effort, had |
e., escaped these evils. Living her happy
lie, surrounded by home love and COM
ior's' she had not given herself up en-
tlrefy to pleasure, but had labored
to improve a naturally bright
mind, trying to make the jewel worthy
q its fair setting.
The cable-car sped along the frosty
track, bearing Blanche nearer and
nearer her destination. Her ardor
was cooling rapidly. With all her
bravery she began to feel that facing
'ne lion in his den was not such very
peasant matter However, she was
not the girl to give up venture when
once fairly begun. so she tried not to
leei ei nervous, but to compose her
thoughts into neat little speech for
.ne .a. :, se,dlfication Of the specialized